Firefighter medics who rushed to the scene recognized the fireman who was killed, officials said. Eli Dabich, 73, a chemistry professor at the Naval Academy, was injured and flown to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where a spokeswoman said he was in serious condition as of Thursday afternoon.

All of the teenagers killed were from Kent Island. They were identified as Cory Passagno, 18; Michael John Ringenbach, 19; Harrison Rhodes Smith, 18; and Tyler Elzey, whom deputies said was 18 or 19. They were driving a Volkswagen, and Dabich was driving a Ford Focus, deputies said.

The crash happened on Cox Neck Road near the intersection of Jones Road about 4:30 p.m., sheriff's deputies said.

The sheriff's office said its early investigation showed speed by the Volkswagen was a possible factor in the crash.

A 31-year-old man who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in Baltimore after he pleaded guilty to possessing 5.9 grams of marijuana won an appeal Wednesday invalidating the plea — raising the possibility that he will be released.